For example, let’s say you are creating a design in 4D^TM Design Creator. You have added a satin stitch to an area, and you are just not sure if you should use a regular satin stitch or a step satin stitch. As a regular satin stitch is formed, the needle will jump from one side to the other creating one long stitch. A step satin stitch takes several intermittent stitches from one side to the other creating smaller stitches. A regular satin stitch is recommended to be no more than 6 to 9 mm.

Get Length of Area is an icon found on the Edit tab in 4D^TM Embroidery Extra or 3D Studio, in 3D and 4D^TM Stitch Editor. It is in the 3D Create Stitches Window in both 4D^TM Design Creator and 4D^TM PictureStitch. With Get Length of Area, you can measure the distance between any two points on an embroidery. Select the Get Length of Area icon, then click and drag a line across the embroidery and release the mouse button to see the length of the line. In our example, we started where the red satin stitches begin across to where the red satin stitches end. When you release the mouse button the Length will show. This is a regular satin stitch and it is 10.9 mm!

A step satin stitch would work much better in this example.

If you have 3D Software, the length is shown in millimeters. If you have 4D^TM Software, the length is shown in millimeters or inches, according to the setting for Show Measurements in 4D^TM Configure.

The Get Length of Area icon is found in 4D^TM Embroidery Extra, 4D^TM Stitch Editor, 4D^TM Design Creator (in 3D Create Stitches), 4D^TM Fabric Decorator, 4D^TM PictureStitch (in 3D Create Stitches), 3D Studio, 3D Stitch Editor, and 3D Fabric Decorator.

3D or 4D^TM PictureStitch is a module that allows you to create beautiful embroidery designs from pictures or clipart. The designs can be stitched out as 4-Color, 4 Color Sepia for an antique look, or 4 Color Custom - where you choose the 4 colors to use.

If you prefer a monochrome look, there are six options: Monochrome Linear (shown here), Monochrome Spiral and four different Monochrome Mazes. The designs created can either be used as the main part of a design or as the background as shown in the flower design.

You can also use 3D or 4D^TM PictureStitch to adjust your picture files. Use the Effects and Filters on the right side of screen to increase or decrease the Brightness, Contrast or Saturation. You can also use Outline Finder to find just the outline of an image and then expand it using Expander.

There are also drawing tools as well as colors to choose from to create your own artwork to turn into beautiful embroideries. Next time you are using the ExpressDesign Wizard in 4D^TM Embroidery Extra and you want to get rid of the background color, but part of the design is the same color, open the picture or clipart file in 4D^TM PictureStitch. Change the color of the background to something completely different than any other color in your design. Save the picture file and take it through the ExpressDesign Wizard again. This time the background will disappear without losing any parts of your picture or clipart that you want to be part of the embroidery design!

Does it drive you crazy when you are finished with a design, you clear your screen, but the design is STILL on your Clipboard Block?

In both 3D and 4D^TM software modules, to clear the Clipboard Block you need to press the Print Screen button on your keyboard. It is shortened to Print Scrn, Prt Scrn or PRTSC on many computers and is usually found in the upper right hand area of your keyboard. If pressing the button does not make the design disappear from the Clipboard Block, look at your Print Screen button. If it has a blue box around the letters or it’s gray instead of white, then you need to press and hold another keyboard key and then press the Print Screen button. Some people need to hold down the FN (Function) key - usually found in the lower left on the keyboard, the Alt key or another button indicated with the same symbol or color as the Print Screen button.

Voila! Your Clipboard Block is clear and you are ready to begin the next design!